In a frenetic digital era, he's helping Angelenos rediscover the classic cassette player - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Oliver WangFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
In a world dominated by digital technology, Spencer Richardson is reviving the charm of analog music through his Los Angeles shop, Jr. Market, which specializes in refurbished cassette players and other retro audio devices. The boutique, housed in a repurposed shipping container, offers a nostalgic journey back to the 1980s with its collection of boomboxes, Walkmans, and clock radios. Richardson, an affable repair expert in his early 30s, transforms old cassette players into functional works of art, appealing not only to Baby Boomers and Gen X-ers seeking nostalgia but also to tech-savvy millennials who crave the tactile experience of analog technology.
The resurgence of cassette culture is a fascinating throwback to an era when portability and resilience defined music listening. Unlike vinyl records or digital downloads, cassettes offered unparalleled convenience, allowing users to record and share music easily. Richardson highlights how this format democratized access to music, enabling genres and artists to cross borders and reach new audiences, even in the modern era where cassette releases are still
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/20/2026